Winter And Lunar Eclipse Tuesday

By: Bob Trihy

Posted: Sun 9:52 PM, Dec 19, 2010

By: Bob Trihy

It has been 456 years since the last time the winter solstice and full lunar eclipse occurred at the same time, but it happens on Tuesday.

Two celestial events occur on Tuesday, the arrival of winter and a full lunar eclipse. It's been 456 years since the last time it happened. In the northern hemisphere the full lunar eclipse begins at 2:40 am and ends at 3:53 am. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are easy on the eyes and safe to watch.

A lunar eclipse is an event in which the earth moves between both the moon and the sun. If you are in an area where you can experience the complete eclipse the moon will be fully shadowed by the earth. The moon will look like a shadow in the sky, yet it can reveal some dramatic color as it moves across the earth’s shadow.

Coinciding with the lunar eclipse, the winter solstice occurs on Tuesday as well. The solstice occurs at 6:38 pm eastern time.The winter solstice occurs exactly when the Earth's tilt is farthest away from the sun at its maximum of 23° 26'. The solstice occurs on the shortest day, and longest night, and the sun's daily maximum position in the sky is the lowest. The seasonal significance of the winter solstice is in the reversal of the gradual lengthening of nights and shortening of days.

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